Disposable cigarette-end receptacle

ABSTRACT

Disposable cigarette-end receptacle that comprises an inlet orifice having a conical mouth towards the outside. The inside diameter of this orifice is calibrated so as to grip a first cigarette end when it is introduced, to hold it in place and to prevent its withdrawal, this cigarette end thus serving as a plug for the receptacle. This orifice is connected to a receptacle, the only exit of which is the inlet orifice. This receptacle extends substantially along the axis of the inlet orifice, the minimum length of this closed receptacle, along this axis, corresponding to that of a standard cigarette.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. national phase of PCT/EP2010/051587 filed Feb. 9, 2010. PCT/EP2010/051587 claims the benefit under 119 of European Patent Application No. 09152860.4 filed Feb. 13, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a disposable receptacle intended for cigarette ends. The invention relates more particularly to an individual receptacle that the smoker can carry in his pocket but also to a receptacle for fixing that can be used by communities.

BACKGROUND

Awareness of the effects of pollution on the human environment is a battle that is becoming more and more significant. Consumers are in the process of realising that the most commonplace and harmless materials, through their resistance to decomposition, constitute powerful pollutants. Thus it is assessed that a cigarette end with a filter can be expected to have a “life” of 1 to 15 years.

Recognition of the rights of non-smokers has had a perverse effect for this particular type of waste: deliberately deprived of bins and ashtrays, smokers have all the more a tendency to disperse their cigarette ends in the environment. The only current response is enforcement: throwing away cigarette ends gives rise to the levying of higher and higher fines (several tens of euros). In California, the land of fire, fines for throwing away cigarette ends may attain several thousands of dollars . . . provided that one is caught.

The only true solution is therefore the education of smokers.

“Cigarette-end extinguishers” formed by a cylinder narrowed at its middle are known through WO 93/09686, DE 101 06 449, DE 1 290 754, DE 39 20 192, GB 407 243 and JP 8 056 638. These devices, produced from a non-combustible material (generally metal), are used for an operation distinct from the collection of cigarette ends, in this case the extinction thereof. Nothing however prevents the smoker, when his cigarette end is extinguished, and theoretically “inoffensive”, from then throwing it away, possibly in the countryside. U.S. Pat. No. 4,497,329 describes such an extinguisher, combined with a conventional (non-closed) ashtray, which clearly illustrates the existence of a dual problem, namely the extinction and disposal of cigarette ends.

US 2006/0191944 describes an ashtray designed to eliminate smoke and tobacco odours.

WO 2008/088274 describes an ashtray combined with an extinguisher and a receptacle for a lighter.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,380,553, JP 2001 327 277 and DE 199 01 527 U1 (also published as DE G 90 15 275.1) also describe receptacles of the ashtray type, combined with extinguishing devices, which may be provided with lids to prevent the dispersion of the content thereof. These devices, which may be of elaborate design, are obviously reusable infinitely provided that they are emptied regularly. Practice alas shows that many smokers, though they manage to discipline themselves to use such ashtrays, will rarely go as far as emptying them in appropriate places. From the point of view of pollution, the result is therefore often identical.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aim of the invention is to prevent the dispersion of cigarette ends in the environment.

Another aim of the invention is to make available to smokers a means that is hygienic and easy to use for getting rid of their cigarette ends.

Another aim of the invention is to promote a cycle for disposal of cigarette ends that is respectful of the environment and workers responsible for maintaining public spaces.

Another aim of the invention is to promote the public-spiritedness of smokers.

The subject matter of the invention is a disposable cigarette-end receptacle that comprises an inlet orifice. This orifice has a conical mouth the wide part of which is turned towards the outside, and its inside diameter, the axial length of which is equal to or less than the diameter of a standard cigarette, is calibrated so as to grip a first cigarette end when it is introduced, to hold it in place and to prevent removal thereof. This cigarette end therefore serves as a stopper for the receptacle. The retaining force of this cigarette end is however sufficiently small for the thrust exerted by a second cigarette end to force this first cigarette end to move towards the inside of the receptacle and to fall therein.

This receptacle comprises a container, the only exit of which is the inlet orifice. This closed container extends substantially along the axis of the inlet orifice and its minimum length, along this axis, corresponds to that of a standard cigarette.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the internal surface of the inlet orifice is in the form of two facing cones, narrowing towards the middle.

According to another advantageous embodiment the internal surface of the inlet orifice is provided with non-return lugs, which may be in the form of conical skirts.

According to an embodiment, the receptacle is produced from a polymer material.

According to another embodiment, this polymer material is shaped by blow moulding.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the receptacle is produced from a heat-degradable material which may preferentially be produced from a recycled material. One advantage of this embodiment is that the use of precious raw material is limited and that moreover the receptacles may be collected in a dedicated, more ecological system.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the cigarette-end receptacle comprises an attachment member for fixing it to a support. This support may for example be a wall support or a base to be fixed to the ground. It is possible to provide a multiple support carrying several distinct receptacles, so that several smokers can simultaneously get rid of their cigarette ends.

One advantage of this embodiment is that it is possible to make such a receptacle available to communities (offices, canteens, etc), the receptacle, removable and recyclable, being regularly replaced, keeping a clean and neat appearance for its location site.

According to an embodiment, it comprises an external surface able to bear a decoration, either by moulded embossment or by direct printing or by sticking thereon a label or a sleeve. It may therefore be covered with various slogans in relation to cleanliness campaigns, various advertisements, etc.

The material of which it consists is advantageously at least partially impregnated with aromatic substances. It may also be impregnated with substances increasing resistance to ignition.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the axial length of the inlet orifice is around 5 mm.

The advantage of this variant of the invention is that the resistance to the forward motion of the cigarette end already introduced is reduced, facilitating the introduction of the following cigarette end.

According to another embodiment, the capacity of the receptacle is proportionate to that of a cigarette packet, so as to facilitate the counting of its content.

According to a further embodiment, the body of the receptacle comprises at least one transparent zone making it possible to assess its degree of filling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These aspects as well as other aspects of the invention will be clarified in the detailed description of particular embodiments of the invention, reference being made to the drawings of the figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a lateral view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view (not to scale) of the embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIGS. 4 a to 4 c are views in section along the plane Iv-Iv of a detail of the embodiment in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views respectively in elevation and perspective of another embodiment of the invention.

The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present invention. Generally similar elements are denoted by similar reference signs in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the invention, in this case a “pocket” receptacle.

This receptacle 2 consists essentially of a closed container 4, the only outlet of which is an inlet orifice 6. This inlet orifice 6 (shown in more detail in FIGS. 4 a to 4 c) has approximately the diameter of a standard cigarette (that is to say between 7 and 8 mm). It splays towards the outside in a conical mouth 8, so as to facilitate the introduction of a cigarette end therein. This splay 8 is followed by a short narrowed part forming a neck 10. As can be seen in FIGS. 4 a to 4 c, the section along a longitudinal plane of this neck 10 can adopt various profiles, either cylindrical (FIG. 4 a) or convergent/divergent (FIG. 4 b), or simply convergent (FIG. 4 c). Whatever the profile adopted, the inside diameter of this neck 10 is calibrated so as to grip this cigarette end and to hold it in place. This cigarette end therefore serves as a stopper for the receptacle.

The operating principle of the invention is as follows: a still-lit cigarette end introduced into the cylindrical orifice 6, emerging in the receptacle 4, is held “suspended” therein at the neck 10, in the axis of the orifice 6, and is spontaneously extinguished through lack of oxygen if the volume of the receptacle is small. When the smoker has finished another cigarette, it suffices for him to introduce his new cigarette end into the orifice 6, thus exerting a thrust forcing the first cigarette end to fall inside the receptacle. The retention force of each cigarette end must be sufficiently small for the smoker not to have to exert an excessive force to force his first cigarette end to move towards the inside of the receptacle and to fall therein.

Particular attention must therefore be paid to the shape of the orifice 6, and in particular to the shape and length of the neck 10 holding the cigarette end. This must be sufficiently short (in the order of a few millimetres)(preferentially around 5 mm), for the penetration of the lit cigarette end pushing a previous cigarette end not to offer resistance such that the lit cigarette end bends and makes penetration thereof into the pipe difficult. The invention is greatly distinguished in this regard from the prior art, which generally indicates a particularly long pipe and therefore does not lend itself to the proposed use.

On the other hand, the neck must be sufficiently long for the cigarette end to remain in place and fulfil its function of plug even in the case of abrupt movement of the carrier of a pocket cigarette-end receptacle. A surprising and unexpected effect is found in practice, namely that the resistance to friction of the cigarette end on the walls of the neck 10, even over a few millimetres (typically around 3 to 5 mm), is amply sufficient to prevent its falling into the receptacle or its ejection from the pipe. One explanation for this phenomenon relates to the very small weight of a cigarette end compared with its size. Consequently the use of the cigarette end as a plug ensures perfect hygiene for the receptacle of the invention, and the smoker does not have to fear having the ash and the content of the receptacle spread in his pockets. It is moreover possible to ensure a further improved holding of the cigarette end forming a plug by providing projections inside the orifice 6, which in addition makes it possible to insert therein cigarette ends of different diameters (typically 7.8 mm to 8.5 mm).

Another point to be emphasised is the importance of the shape of the mouth 8 (angle at the top and width and length). This mouth 8 may be either concave or convex in shape. It must however be profiled so that an elongate object or one whose end has a relatively small radius of curvature, such as the end of a finger, cannot touch the proximal end of the cigarette end forming a plug so as to dislodge it and make it “fall” inside the receptacle 4.

The plug formed by the cigarette end forms a barrier to the odours emitted by the receptacle 2 sufficient to significantly reduce effluvia from the consumed cigarettes, without requiring other artifices (the cigarette-end receptacle has moreover a short life). It is however possible, for mainly marketing reasons, to add one or other fragrant material (perfume or odour-absorbing products) in the material used to manufacture the cigarette-end receptacle.

The “philosophy” of the receptacle of the invention is that of systematic collection, able to end up in a particular recycling circuit. This implies that it is single-use and that, once full, it must be disposed of. The capacity of a “pocket” receptacle will therefore be adapted roughly to a number of cigarette ends corresponding to the number of cigarettes in a pack (typically around 20 cigarettes). It is also possible to envisage the production of larger containers that are made available to a community of smokers, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 (a volume of 500 ml can contain between 100 and 150 cigarette ends!).

One point to be taken into account is that it is necessary at all costs to prevent the end of a still lit cigarette from coming into contact with the bottom of the receptacle 4, this in principle being made from a material sensitive to heat. Consequently the length of the receptacle 4, measured along the axis of the orifice 6, must preferably be at least equal to that of a standard cigarette.

As shown in FIG. 5, according to a first variant, the receptacle comprises a quick-fixing device 12 (here a simple ring with anti-rotation notch) making it possible to fix it by securing means 14 to a fixed support. It can also be provided (see FIGS. 7 and 8) with a base intended to be pressed into loose soil, which makes it possible to use it in a park or garden. Another variant, shown in FIG. 6, is provided with a wide base, which makes it possible to use it at the table or in a car (its diameter in this case being identical to that of a drinks bottle, all modern cars being equipped with a support for bottles). With regard to the “table” cigarette-end receptacle, the latter, apart from the fact that it may have varied aesthetic shapes, will also help to prevent the dispersion of odours in cars and, just like a wall receptacle, will contribute to cleanliness and hygiene in spaces still reserved for nicotine-addicted customers at the entrance to bars, cafes and restaurants.

It is obvious that the diameter and length of the neck 10 are fundamental. In the case of a pocket receptacle, a slightly narrower diameter will be chosen than for the table or wall variation.

This difference relates to the fact that the pocket variant must have better holding of the stopper while the table, car or wall variant must have greater ease of introduction of the cigarette end.

The use a single-usage receptacle may in principle appear to be a waste. In reality it is not at all, since it results in a much more systematic destruction of waste. It is also a guarantee of cleanliness and hygiene. Anyone who, when entering a building, has been confronted with the odour, dirt and repugnant appearance of a street ashtray, particularly when the combustion of the cigarette ends is not complete and the filters are being consumed, will understand, just like the maintenance personnel responsible for cleaning the street ashtrays. It is in fact particularly difficult to protect a public ashtray from rain and wet. However, the combination of moisture, nicotine and the tar from the combustion of tobacco and paper are particular malodorous and contribute to the difficulty in cleaning these street ashtrays, in particular when they contain sand on the surface of a grille. The adoption of the receptacle of the invention, which it suffices to replace with a new receptacle, makes this task easy and constitutes a guarantee of cleanliness and hygiene. The small opening of the cigarette-end receptacle limits the entry of rain into the pipe, even if the latter is open, and prevents it completely if a cigarette is inserted as a plug.

The success of the marketing of such a single-usage receptacle is obviously dependent, more than with another article, on a very low cost price. In this regard, this part could be produced in a particularly economical fashion by the blow moulding (in particular extrusion blow moulding or injection blow moulding) of a variety of economical polymers such as polyethylene or polypropylene. In addition, there is no need to use a raw material: an inexpensive recycled material finds here a particularly welcome extension of its life cycle.

The complete cigarette-end receptacle would therefore preferably consist of recycled polyethylene. This material, the cellulose making up the filters and the tobacco residues are all perfectly combustible and can therefore incinerated in incineration furnaces without consuming energy, quite the contrary. The presence of a combustion retarder may be indicated according to particular safety criteria (when made available in public places) without for all that impairing the recycling of the product.

Moreover, production in a single piece is economically much more advantageous.

This does not however exclude the possibility of producing the receptacle from two different materials (one for the orifice, the other for the receptacle): the fact that the receptacle is made in a single piece with the conduit or in two pieces is of secondary importance compared with the functionality of the product.

Because recycled materials are used, the receptacle is preferably opaque. It is however advantageous to provide a translucent zone extending in the axial direction, so as to be able to assess its degree of filling.

Obviously, the use of cigarette-end receptacles of the invention, whether they are in “pocket format” or public, contributes to the cleanliness of our pavements, our streets, our beaches, our ski slopes and our woods. In the latter case, it also helps to reduce risks of forest fires.

Finally, the cigarette-end receptacle may constitute a perfectly usable advertising medium: nothing is easier than to stick an advertising label on the body of the receptacle! It may therefore generate revenues helping to reduce its inherent distribution cost.

It will appear obvious to a person skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the examples illustrated and described above. The invention comprises each of the novel features as well as the combination thereof. The presence of reference numbers cannot be considered to be limitative. The use of the term “comprises” can in no way exclude the presence of elements other than those mentioned. The use of the definite article “a” to introduce an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The present invention has been described in relation to specific embodiments, which have a purely illustrative value and must not be considered to be limitative. 

1. Disposable cigarette-end receptacle, characterised in that said disposable cigarette-end receptacle comprises a cylindrical inlet orifice with a diameter equal to or less than that of a standard cigarette, having a conical mouth defining an axis, the broad part of which is turned towards the outside, the inside diameter of the orifice, with an axial length less than the diameter of a standard cigarette, being calibrated so as to grip a first cigarette end when the first cigarette is introduced, to hold the first cigarette in place and to prevent withdrawal of the first cigarette, the cigarette end when in the inlet orifice serving as a plug for the receptacle, the retention force for the cigarette end being sufficiently small so that thrust exerted by a second cigarette end forces the first cigarette end to move towards the inside of the receptacle; and a receptacle having a single outlet, said single outlet associated with the inlet orifice, said receptacle extending substantially along the axis of the inlet orifice, the minimum length of said receptacle, along this axis, corresponding to that of a standard cigarette.
 2. Disposable cigarette-end receptacle according to claim 1, characterised in that the inlet orifice has an internal surface which is in the shape of two facing cones, narrowing towards a middle portion of the inlet orifice.
 3. Disposable cigarette-end receptacle according to claim 1, characterised in that the inlet orifice has an internal surface which is provided with non-return lugs.
 4. Disposable cigarette-end receptacle according to claim 3, characterised in that the non-return lugs are in the form of conical skirts.
 5. Disposable cigarette-end receptacle according to claim 1, characterised in that said receptacle comprises a polymer material.
 6. Disposable cigarette-end receptacle according to claim 1, characterised in that both said inlet orifice and said receptacle is produced all in one piece.
 7. Disposable cigarette-end receptacle according to claim 5, characterised in that said receptacle is formed by blow moulding.
 8. Disposable cigarette-end receptacle according to claim 1, characterised in that said receptacle comprises a heat-degradable material.
 9. Disposable cigarette-end receptacle according to claim 1, characterised in that said receptacle comprises recycled material.
 10. Disposable cigarette-end receptacle according to claim 1, characterised in that said receptacle further comprises an attachment member adapted for fixing said receptacle to a support.
 11. Disposable cigarette-end receptacle according to claim 1, characterised in that said receptacle further comprises a printable external surface.
 12. Disposable cigarette-end receptacle according to any one of the preceding claims claim 1, characterised in that the said receptacle is made of material which is at least partially impregnated with aromatic substances.
 13. Disposable cigarette-end receptacle according to claim 1, characterised in that the inlet orifice has an axial length that is around 5 mm.
 14. Disposable cigarette-end receptacle according to claim 1, characterised in that said receptacle is made of material which is impregnated with substances increasing its resistance to ignition.
 15. Disposable cigarette-end receptacle according to claim 1, characterised in that the receptacle has a body that comprises at least one transparent zone for assessing degree of filling of said body. 